(Auntie Arlene wrote her own obituary with some additions by her niece, Kathy).
Arlene Tessie Lesnefsky, daughter of the late Stanley and Mary (Zapach) Lesnefsky, died Monday morning June 20, 2022 at home with her niece, Kathy by her side. Arlene was born August 25, 1932 at home in Shumans, PA. She attended Beaver High School and graduated with honors in 1950.
During the summers between high school, she babysat for Chick and Rita Zehner's three children. She was active in sports and cheerleading and was selected as the Best Dressed School Girl in Columbia County at the Bloomsburg Fair and was voted May Queen. After graduation, she became caretaker for Dr. Harry and Mrs. Hoffman's three children and started working at the Bloomsburg Fair for several concessionaires from 1950-2016. She was employed at the U.S. Radium plant in 1951 in the hand screening department where she worked for 33 years until they closed. While employed there she would plan parties for retiring employees. She was chosen to go to Argonne Research Laboratory in Illinois for after effects of radiation exposure. She was a part-time waitress at Briar Heights Lodge and Hotel Magee doing catering all over the state including Governor Thornburgh's inauguration in Harrisburg, United Nations members at Governor Scranton's home at Marworth, and his family Christmas dinners.
During the summers, Arlene played softball on several teams. In winter she played on a basketball team "Bloomsburg Buick Hotshots" playing YMCA's all over the state. She participated for many years in the "Bloomin Follies" sponsored by the Bloomsburg Hospital. She enjoyed making pierogies at Easter for which she was a member of St. Columba Catholic Church. Arlene enjoyed vacations in Canada, Disney World, Bermuda, and Hawaii. She was an avid Phillies fan and loved her casino trips! During the war she would visit Army, Navy, and Air force bases. After the radium plant closed, Arlene became employed as a custodian at Bloomsburg University working in several buildings for which she received Emeritus Status retiring with 16 years service. She received a Pennsylvania flag by then President Jessica Kozloff. She enjoyed taking her nieces and nephews horseback riding, swimming, and fishing. She was a lifelong resident of Bloomsburg after moving from Shumans. After several falls and health problems, she lived with her niece, Dr. Kathy Baylor-Giorgio and husband, Domenic since 2016 which she called the "Baylor Giorgio Farm".
Preceding her in death were sisters, Margaret Hartranft, Frances P. Schell, and Gloria Baylor and brothers, Albert who died in infancy, Stanley, and Paul Lesnefsky. She was the last remaining member of her immediate family. She is survived by several nieces and nephews.
At the request of Arlene, there will be no services. Kathy would like to thank the Geisinger Hospice team especially Linda, Carrie, Paige, Jackie, Heather and Dr Joseph.
The Allen Funeral Home, Inc., 745 Market at Eighth Street, Bloomsburg is honored to be serving the Lesnefsky family.